May 2024
Leadership Message
Welcome to the newest edition of our Openline!
Spring is officially in the air and as we prepare for a more robust freight environment, let’s also prepare ourselves for the changes spring brings to safety.
With more freight, the urge to hurry is there. The words hurry and safety don’t go together, so slow down and remember the details involved in doing our job safely. Although we are still working through some tweaks with our new telematics system, GeoTab, skipping through steps on the tablet will only slow you down during a load.
- Your logs can be an easy way for a DOT officer to find errors. Make sure you are paired properly to avoid unnecessary attention. When in questions, call Safety for assistance.
- Special instructions are there for allowing you to be more productive, not slow you down. Take the time to read through what we took the time to tell you. Having the right equipment prior to arriving at a shipper, or even special instructions upon arrival are there to help you be efficient. When videos are available for you, take the time to review them to verify your plan for securement is in line with what we need you to do. Not doing securement properly will only lead to a stop enroute and an adjustment to the load, or worse, cargo damage.
Our CSA scores continue to be on the right track with improvement across the board, let’s continue to be mindful as we move through this month. Thank you for your efforts in this area!
Let’s also avoid downtime by taking our time parking. We are seeing an uptick in our backing accidents, so Get Out And Look and save yourself the unnecessary downtime a parking accident can cause you and our company.
We work hard to get you quality training that is relevant to what we are seeing as a fleet, so thank you for taking our monthly training seriously and taking the time to complete it. We want to all speak the same language when it comes to Safety!
Drive Safely,
Lisa Mason
Vice President of Safety & Human Resources
NOTE: Driver of the Month, Rookie of the Month, and Top Fleets are unavailable this month. Drivers will be recognized when this information becomes available.
Photos
Every month we receieve lots of amazing photos from our drivers from their time on the road. If you have a photo you’d like to share, send an email to [email protected].
Jason shared his ambassador truck turning gold with the sunrise this morning. Thanks for sharing, Jason!
Wellness & Safety Articles
Time for iCare Enrollment!
The iCare enrollment window is open! If you are on the Melton Health Plan and you want a discount on your…see more
Managing Your Time Wisely
Happy April, Melton Drivers! It is officially springtime — the time of year that traditionally brings warmer weather and…see more
Monthly Poll
Leave us a Review!
We’re always looking for Melton team members to share their opinions with us. If you want to share your experience working for Melton, we encourage you to leave an honest review on your platform of choice. You can visit our Glassdoor page below!
Kudos
Here’s some positive messages we receieved about both office staff and drivers for this month!
Get Involved
We’re excited to share all of the activities that have been happening at Melton during the month!
Anniversaries
Be sure to congratulate these staff members who have hit tenure milestones with Melton!
New Hires & Movement
Congratulations to all of the new hires and promotions this month! Meet the newest members of the team here.
Driver of the Month: Bradley
Congratulations to January’s Driver of the Month, Bradley! He has been with Melton for nearly two years after previously working in the oilfields, but has been hauling farm equipment since he was just 16 years old! Bradley’s favorite part about Melton is the family environment and the flexibility we have in getting drivers home in the case of personal issues and events. He has two great Safety tips for our drivers: first, never be afraid to call in and ask for help when you need it. Second, if you feel like your load needs more straps, always add more – better safe than sorry!
His DM, Wendy, had this to say about Bradley: “Bradley is very conscientious and always keeps me updated. I know I don’t have to worry about a load when he is picking up for us.” Congratulations, Bradley!
Rookie of the Month: Ahmed
Congratulations to January’s Rookie of the Month, Ahmed! He has driving for Melton since 2023, and this is his first driving job after graduating from 160 Driving Academy in San Marcos, TX. Ahmed holds a master’s degree in human resource management and previously worked as an HR and Payroll analyst. He chose to drive for Melton after doing a lot of research about OTR jobs, and came to Melton after speaking with Samantha in Recruiting! The most interesting load he has hauled was just 400 lbs and only had to travel 50 miles – definitely unusual!
His DM, Rebecca, wanted to give her congratulations: “Ahmed is a great driver, hard worker, and always communicates and works hard at representing Melton in a positive way. Great asset to the team.” Keep up the great work, Ahmed!
A Message from Our Wellness Manager
The iCare enrollment window is open! If you are on the Melton Health Plan and if you want a discount on your insurance premiums, it’s time to get your iCare Personal Health Assessment (PHA). The deadline for completion is September 30, 2024.
What does the iCarePHA consist of? *
- Venous blood draw (cholesterol, hemoglobin A1C, liver & kidney function, etc..)
- Height/Weight and Waistline Measurement
- Blood Pressure
*Rest assured, no employees at Melton Truck Lines will ever see your testing results. Only you and the CareATC providers will have access.
Why should you participate?
1) Once the covered employee and their covered spouse complete their iCarePHA screening they will see significant savings in their 2025 health care benefit premiums by paying the discounted iCare premium rate. Non-participating employees will pay a higher monthly premium and be enrolled in the standard rate plan.
2) Most importantly, the screenings are an effective method in identifying any health risks early!
New Hires: If you are a New Hire in 2024 you will automatically be enrolled in the standard rate, and must complete the iCare/PHA screening within six months of your benefits effective date. If you have specific questions, please reach out to our benefits team.
Screening Locations: (please visit careatc.com/meltontrucklines for locations)
CareATC’s National Near-Site clinics, including the Melton On-Site Clinic and the Laredo Terminal Clinic (in Laredo, please call Jorge Landa).
Remote spouses and employees not near a CareATC facility should participate by visiting a LabCorp location directly. Please reach out to a Bret Bringham or a member of the benefits team for LabCorp scheduling instructions. **
**This option is available only to those who are not within 30 miles of a CareATC clinic or our Laredo Clinic.
There are several PHA screening options available:
Scheduling Your iCarePHA in Tulsa or at a CareATC clinic:
Visit https://www.careatc.com/meltontrucklines
Once logged in scroll down and click on “Personal Health Assessment (PHA) Scheduling”
Click “At The Health Center” for onsite screening event in Tulsa CLICK “At the Clinic” to schedule at a CareATC Clinic.
Choose the day and time that fit your schedule.
Click “Schedule” to reserve your spot.
Scheduling Your iCarePHA at the Laredo Clinic:
Please call Jorge in the Laredo clinic to schedule your PHA.
Onsite Screening Event Pre-Registration: (Scheduled Onsite Screening Events: May 17th / July 19th / August 9th / September 6th)
- Visit https://www.careatc.com/meltontrucklines
- Once logged in click on “Schedule a Personal Health Assessment (PHA)”
- Click “At a Company Event”
- Select “Melton” and then pick your preferred event date.
- Select the time that best fits your schedule.
- Click “Schedule” to reserve your spot.
Scheduling Your iCarePHA at LabCorp: **This option is available only to those who are not within 30 miles of a CareATC clinic or our Laredo Clinic.
Please reach out to our benefits department or wellness manager for instructions.
Fast 8 Hours Before Your iCarePHA:
- Fast from food and tobacco products
- Drink plenty of water (black coffee allowed)
- Take prescriptions that don’t require food (including blood pressure medications)
If you have any questions regarding scheduling, please contact CareATC directly at 800-993-8244.
In Good Health,
Bret Bringham
A Message from Our safety department
Happy April, Melton Drivers! It is officially springtime—the time of year that traditionally brings warmer weather and an increase in how much freight we receive. With this in mind, it is important as ever to develop and maintain excellent customer relationships by arriving at shippers and consignees on time with damage-free freight. There are a variety of ways you can successfully do this, ranging from brushing up on time management skills to continuing to commit to safe driving habits.
Undeniably, having effective time management skills and practicing thorough trip planning helps uphold strong customer relationships. Efficiently managing time ensures that deliveries are made promptly, meeting, or even exceeding customer expectations. Additionally, effective trip planning allows drivers to anticipate potential delays, enabling proactive communication with customers to mitigate any disruptions. This level of transparency and communication fosters trust and confidence in Melton’s services, strengthening the overall relationship we have with the customer. To achieve this, keep these time management aspects in mind:
Checking the Weather: We are in a transitional period in terms of weather right now, meaning as you travel across the United States, you can encounter snow, heat, severe storms, or even the perfect sunny, 70-degree day. It is important to be weather aware throughout your entire trip to ensure that you are prepared for what you are encountering. Plan ahead and let your Driver Manager know of any anticipated delays.
Staying Within Your Hours: It would be unfortunate if you were close to a consignee, but you have run out of hours on your clock and cannot make an appointment time. Plan your hours for each day and ensure that you will have enough each day to make your appointment times.
Following the Appropriate Route: Some roads do not allow trucks & trailers like ours to drive along them. Double-check to see if the route you are taking allows trucks before heading on that route. Additionally, a portion of I-70 is prohibited year-round to all Melton drivers. The restricted route begins on I-70 in Denver, Colorado and runs west until Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Drivers are to not travel westbound or eastbound on this route. Therefore, be sure to adjust the trip directions if they take you along this route. Contact Safety with any questions.
Planning Your Stops: Planning where you are going to take your 30-minute break and where you will stop for the night ensures you have a safe place to be without causing future delays. Be sure you know where and when you are stopping so you can recharge your battery and be ready to conquer the following miles to your destination!
Along with time management, continuing to engage in safe driving practices also ensures we are keeping up with Melton’s good reputation of safely delivering freight on time. On our fleet, we have awesome drivers who keep safe driving as priority number one. Keep up the good work and drive safely by avoiding these commons unsafe driving events:
Speeding: Although it may seem like speeding can help you reach your destination quicker, it often only gets you there a few minutes earlier. It is not worth the time and money that is lost as a result of an accident or a citation. Respect the law by watching your speed. Remember that even 1 to 5 mph over the speed limit can get you a ticket, so be cautious!
Distracted Driving: Distracted driving can manifest in an abundance of ways, with the most common method being cell phones for all drivers on the road. Don’t be like other drivers who are fiddling on their phones—keep your phone in the bunk. Additionally, messing with the GPS’s directions can be another form of distraction– especially for truck drivers. Be sure that if you are not sure where you are going, then you are pulling over to gain awareness and develop a plan before getting back on the road.
Failing to Wear Seatbelts: Although it has continuously been proven to be a dangerous choice, neglecting to wear seatbelts is still an issue on today’s highways. Once you are in your truck ready to drive, be sure to put on your seatbelt every single time. It is not just a Melton policy; it is the law.
As we welcome April and embrace the onset of spring, it’s imperative to uphold our commitment to punctuality and damage-free deliveries to nurture strong customer relationships. Effective time management and adherence to safe driving practices are pivotal in achieving this feat—and as a result—maintaining Melton’s good reputation. Going forward, let’s protect ourselves and our communities by continuing to prioritize safety on the road!
April Anniversaries
30 Richard Marak
23 Marvin Williams
23 Kyle Burchart
21 Jeffrey Noah
18 Michael De La Cruz
17 John Davis
17 Rick Castleberry
16 Scott Smith
15 Christopher Myer
14 David Solomon
14 James Peavler
14 Larry Langdon
14 Timmy Blandburg
14 Willie Parrish
13 Bernarus Felder
13 Myron Larkin
13 Paul Voss
11 Brian Martin
11 Christopher Sharrock
11 Richard Baez
10 Christopher Hambly
10 John Jenne
8 Jonathan Mount
8 Russell McCray
8 Rebecca Tatum
7 Richard Matchett
7 Carolyn Orr
7 Lisa Garcia
7 Mitchell Wright
6 Arthur Quarles
6 Christopher McPeak
6 Luke Schaberl
6 Hilary McAuliff
6 Rory Beel
5 Albert Richardson
5 Cliford Thomany
5 Michael Morse
5 Tommy Jackson
5 Janelle Forbes
4 Abraham Millan
4 David Norman
4 Gerald Duval
3 Felix Campos
3 Bradford Sanger
3 Brooks McAllister
3 Darius Brown
3 David Seaman
3 Gregory Hubbard
3 Spenser Knight
3 Stacy Jackson
3 Va’quon Jones
2 Brandon Jones
2 Christopher Deans
2 Juan Estrada
2 Larry Marmon
2 Peter Baldwin
2 Cindy Gaona
2 Erin Herring
2 Kevin Ryan
1 Abdellahi Hamar
1 Alexander Roberts
1 Bryan Noble
1 Cameron Leventis
1 Cody Dingle
1 Colin Mcleod
1 Dajuan Hodge
1 Daniel Dessiniste
1 Fabian Castellanos
1 Geovany Hernandez
1 Haji Ali
1 Henry Albaro
1 James Parrish
1 Jessi Barnett
1 Johnathan Jackson
1 Jonathan Alltizer
1 Jonathan Montgomery
1 Jose Padro
1 Juan Gonzalez
1 Juver Soto
1 Kelvin Carter
1 Liud Carvajal
1 Melvin Martin
1 Raymond Holland
1 Richalson Auguste
1 Robert Zapata
1 Timothy Taylor
1 Tyree Coggins
1 Ulrick Carson
1 Wesley Boatwright
1 Cariel Turner
1 Colton Hughes
1 Dalton Varnell
1 Kade Sherrill
1 Logan Hager
1 Valerie Strickel
Monthly Celebration
We gathered around the fire in our Tulsa headquarters to have our monthly celebration. Each month we celebrate anniversaries, new hires, promotions, and birthdays.
Congratulations to our Rookie and ambassador of the year!
Also during our monthly celebration, we revealed the 2023 Rookie of the Year, Marlon, and Ambassador of the Year, Mike! Both of these drivers exemplify the values and qualities that make Melton drivers some of the best in the trucking industry. Thank you for being hard workers and responsible drivers!
Marlon, Rookie of the Year
Mike, Ambassador of the Year
LEt’s Welcome the Tulsa SPCA!
Last Friday was the first Tulsa SPCA visit of the year! We had a blast meeting all the dogs (and cats) who came to visit. Check out some of the photos below. If you missed last month’s visit, look out for a message announcing the next time the Tulsa SPCA will be at Melton.
Remembering and Honoring Fran McRae
We would like to take a moment to remember Fran McRae, who recently passed away on February 28th. Her and her husband, Duncan, and son Duncan Jr., owned the company from 1958 to 1991 and helped established Melton as the company we know today.
Fran had many contributions and ideas that remain in use to this day, including our Ambassador’s Club, the designs of our company terminals, and the creation of the Melton Magazine that continues as our OpenLine newsletter. Thank you, Fran, for your creativity and passion that will continue to live on at Melton Truck Lines!
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December Top Fleets
81%
Top Expert Fuel Compliance
- Macy Minter- Fleet 27 With Compliance Of 88.46%
- Chad Merrick- Fleet 08 With Compliance Of 86.70%
- Rory Beel- Fleet 25 With Compliance Of 82.06%
6.68 MPG
Overall Fleet Average MPG
- Wendy Rolnicki- Fleet 11 with an average of 7.42 MPG
- Tony Smith- Fleet 18 with an average of 7.26 MPG
- Staci Pula- Fleet 36 with an average of 7.22 MPG
Top 100 & Elite Fleet
Abraham Millan
Adam Zlata
Alex Madrid
Alexander Smith
Alfred Bothun
Andrew Winans
Banner Partain
Bradley Pendergrass
Brandi Long
Brandon Darnell
Brooks Mcallister
Bryan Long
Carlo Lasanta
Charles Phillips
Chris Mcpeak
Chris Ehmen
Christopher McPherson
Corey Baker
Damian Licona
Daniel Gelinas
Daniel Shonebarger
Daniel Sieczkarski
Darrell Henson
David Posey
David Guiliani
Dennis Williams
Edgar Kipkorir
Eduardo Reyes
Eric Correa
Francisco Vieira
George Frazho
George Rooney
Guadalupe Solis
Henry Shumate
Henry John
James Johnson
James Feeney
Jason Daigler
Jeffrey Mcmahan
Jeffrey Granat
Jeffrey Weaver
Jerry Hoffpauir
Jesus Trevino
Jim Tinnin
Joe Zuniga
Joey Cook
John Estorcien
John Anagnost
Johnathan Hardin
Joseph Stievenart
Joshua Mossey
Juan Karns
Juan Delgado
Karl Hoglund
Keith Smock
Kenneth Finch
Leon Wert
Luis Carroz
Luis Davis
Luisny Filisme
Luke Schaberl
Luke Brown
Manuel Gastelum
Mario Agsaulio
Marvin Geddings
Mathew Feltner
Matthew Schall
Mauricio Clavel
Melton Cockrell
Michael Bernat
Michael Morse
Michael Allen
Michael Maines
Mike Simpson
Minh Tran
Mohammed Alkateib
Moises Perez
Musa Ahmed
Nicholas Mihal
Patrick Vonalt
Paul Pellerito
Ray Morgan
Richard Zapata
Rickey Russell
Ricky Legue
Ricky Katipunan
Ronald Wright
Samuel Hill
Scott Jernigan
Stephen Vinson
Steven Heiberger
Tamas Keller
Tayler Franklin
Terrance Small
Timmy Blandburg
Todd Rasco
Tony Hayes
Travis Lancaster
Troy Marquis
William Adkins
Wyn Norsworthy
Zoran Harrison
April Hires
Perla Lara
Inside Sales
Katelyn Spivey
Territory Account Manager
Bill Campbell
Territory Account Manager
Rianna Roberts
Road Training Intern
Madeline McCulley
Customer Success Intern
April Movement
Lisa Garcia
Lead Territory Account Manager – Laredo
Ramiro Vallejo
Territory Account Manager – Laredo
Cindy Gaona
Northbound/Southbound Dispatch – Laredo
Ron Harrison
Orientation Instructor
Jake Baker
Training Upgrade Supervisor